clever solution to my problem

[So Cal shaggy]

OK I keep seeing posts pop up every so often regarding fish jumping into the overflow so I thought I would post the solution I came up with after loosing my second fish to the overflow. First look into or feel around the inside of the overflow to see if there is a small lip just below slits in the top of the overflow box if there is this is an easy mod if not you will have to spend a little more time on it. If there is a lip cut a piece of plexiglass just small enough to fit into the overflow box but larger than the lip drill the piece with a bunch of holes as many as you can fit and set it into the overflow box. If there is no lip inside the overflow box cut some pieces of PVC pipe just long enough to come to the bottom of the overflow slits and zip tie them to the bottom of the piece of plexiglass so that it wll sit on top of the pipes and not fall off and you are done no more fish will be able to go past the plexiglass strainer it also quiets the overflowing water as well here are a few pics the zip ties on it are so I can pull it out for maintenance I give it a short soak in vinegar once a month to keep algae from clogging the holes and reducing flow.

strainer plate in the overflow
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e53/shaggyman/overflowplate1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

strainer plate taken out for monthly cleaning
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e53/shaggyman/overflowplate2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

 

[818]

What if its a HOB Overflow?

 

[So Cal shaggy]

HOB

HOB

HOB overflow I did not think of that but I am sure you can adapt this idea to a HOB like maybe placing some screen into it or a plexiglass plate drilled through the same way and slid into a HOB either before or after the first baffle.

 

[codybug]

Thats a really good idea! It may also help quiet the overflow (toilet) noise I've been dealing with.

thanks

 

[pledosophy]

try a duroso stand pipe to cut the noise. It's easy to build.

 

[laverda]

It does not look like that will stop your fish from jumping in. Now the will be domed as they will be out of the water. It would be better if the peice was on top of the overflow, not down inside it.

 

[sharkdude]

I agree with Laverda. Instead of maybe taking a ride to the sump and surviving, they will flop around on top and slowly die.

You'd be better off building a 'fence' of vertical eggcrate around the top of the overflow to keep fish out completely.

 

[So Cal shaggy]

Actually the return pump was turned off when I took the pic so it could be seen clearly when the pump is on there is 1/2" of water pooling on top of the plate since I have had the plate installed I have had two separate fish jump into the overflow one for 1-2 hours and another for over 6 hours both were none the worse for wear.

 

[rscott76]

Re: HOB

Re: HOB

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7072867#post7072867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by So Cal shaggy
HOB overflow I did not think of that but I am sure you can adapt this idea to a HOB like maybe placing some screen into it or a plexiglass plate drilled through the same way and slid into a HOB either before or after the first baffle.

i used some plastic rain gutter mesh to build a fence that i just kind of stuck into the overflow to make a fence. keeps out all the fish and snails.